'85 Chronology-Southern Division Preview

Event Date: February 18th, 1985

Event Description: USFL Preview: Southern Division

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Southern Division Preview

Birmingham Stallions

1984 Record: 14-4

Stadium: Legion Field   

Avg. Attendance: 36,865

Head Coach: Rollie Dotsch

Owner: Marvin Warner

Key players: QB Cliff Stoudt, RB Joe Cribbs, WR Jim Smith, WR Joey Jones, OC Joe Bock, G-T Buddy Aydelette, OT Pat Phenix, DL Dave Pureifory, LB Herb Spencer, DB Chuck Clanton, DB Dennis Woodberry, P Bob Parsons.

New Additions: LB Dallas Hickman (Outlaws ’84), LB Doak Field (Outlaws ’84), DL Don Reese (NFL-San Diego ’81), FB Paul Ott Carruth (Territorial Draft ’85), QB John Fourcade (Showboats ’84), WR Larry Douglas (Outlaws ;84), DB David Dumars (Allocation Draft-Gold’84), OC Joe Bock (Allocation Draft-Gamblers ’84), OG Franky Smith (Allocation Draft-Breakers ’84), OL Phil McKinnely (Allocation Draft-‘Boats ’84), DB Larry Friday (Allocation Draft-Maulers ’84), OT Lindsey Mason (Allocation Draft-Invaders ’84), DE Malcolm Taylor (Allocation Draft-Blitz ’84), Ken Kelley (Allocation Draft-Blitz '84),

Outlook: The Stallions should have one of the best ground games in the league, a return trip to the USFL championship game is not out of the question.

1985 Prediction:  1st place 10-6 Division Champs

Tampa Bay Bandits

1984 Record: 11-7

Stadium: Tampa Stadium   

Avg. Attendance: 46,158 

Head Coach: Steve Spurrier

Owner: John Bassett

Key players: QB John Reaves, QB Steve Calabria, RB Gary Anderson, FB Greg Boone, WR Eric Truvillion, WR Willie Gillespie, WR Larry Brodsky, TE Marvin Harvey, C-G Chuck Pitcock, G Nate Newton, G-T Fred Dean, DT Ron Simmons, NT Fred Nordgren, DE Mike Butler, LB James Harrell, LB Alonzo Johnson, DB Jeff George, DB Doug Beaudoin, DB Bobby Futrell, K-P Zenon Andrusyshyn.

New Additions: QB Steve Calabria (College Draft pick), OL Jerrell Franklin (Allocation Draft-Breakers ’84), DB Bobby Futrell (Allocation Draft-Panthers ’84), OG Bill Searcey (Gamblers ’84), FB Joel Blunk (Bandits camp ’84), WR Steve Carter (Rookie Free Agent), TE Jerry Price (Outlaws camp ’84), LB Al Richardson (Free Agent), LB Sankar Montoute (Rookie Free Agent), LB Tony Office (Rookie Free Agent).

Outlook: The passing game could be unstoppable so this could be the year.

1985 Prediction: 2nd Place 9-7 Wild Card

Memphis Showboats

1984 Record: 11-7

Stadium: Liberty Bowl    

Avg. Attendance: 27,599 

Head Coach: Pepper Rodgers

Owner: William Dunavant

Key players: QB Walter Lewis, QB Mike Kelley, RB Tim Spencer, FB Harry Sydney, WR Derrick Crawford, WR Greg Moser, TE Gary Shirk, OC Art Kuehn, OL Larry Pfohl, OG Dave Huffman, OT Russ Bolinger, DE Reggie White, DL Jimmy Walker, LB John Corker, LB Lamont Jeffers, DB Barney Bussey, DB Doran Major, S Mike Fox, P Rick Partridge.

New Additions: P Jim Miller (NFL-Dallas ’84), QB Gary Huff (NFL-Tampa Bay ’78), LB John Corker (NFL-New Orleans camp ’84), RB Ricky Porter NFL-Baltimore ’83), WR Preston Brown (NFL-Cleveland ’84), WR Henry Williams (College draft pick ’85), OC Larry Rubens (NFL-Green Bay ’83), OL Russ Bolinger (NFL-LA Rams ’84), OL Robert Woods (Stallions ’84), OL Luis Sharpe (NFL-St.Louis ’84), OT Scott Bolzan (Rookie Free Agent), OC Jim Dralle (Territorial Draft ’85), FB Johnnie Jones (Territorial Draft ’85), DL Jimmy Walker (Stallions ’84), QB John Bond (NFL-Cleveland camp ’84), P Bob Grupp (Allocation Draft-Generals ’84), WR Greg Moser (Allocation Draft-Gamblers ’84), T-G John Canei (Allocation Draft-Bandits ’84), DE Jay Hayes (Allocation Draft-Panthers ’84), OG Dave Huffman (Allocation Draft-Blitz ’84).

Outlook: Several player acquisitions could turn a so-so squad into this years’ sleeper.

1985 Prediction: 9-7 3rd Place

Jacksonville Bulls

1984 Record: 4-14

Stadium: Gator Bowl    

Avg. Attendance: 46,730

Head Coach: Lindy Infante

Owner: Fred Bullard

Key players: QB Brian Sipe, RB Mike Rozier, WR Alton Alexis, WR Perry Kemp, WR Aubrey Matthews, WR Gary Clark, TE Mark Keel, OT J.T Turner, OL Gary Anderson, DT Bob Nelson, DE Keith Millard, LB Tom Dinkel, LB Vaughn Johnson, DB Don Bessillieu, DB Chester Gee, K Brian Franco.

New Additions: RB Mike Rozier (Maulers ’84), DT Bob Nelson (Outlaws ’84), OG J.T. Turner (NFL-Washington ’84), G-T Roy Simmons (NFL-Washington ’83), RB Archie Griffin (NFL-Cincinnati ’82), LB Richard Wood (NFL-Tampa Bay ’84), DB Van Jakes (NFL-Kansas City ’84), DB Rodney McMillan (Outlaws Camp ’84), LB Mike Edwards (Allocation Draft-Panthers ’84), P Rich Hendley (’84 Territorial Draft) OL A.V. Richards (Territorial draft pick ’85), OL Larry Pfohl (Allocation Draft-Showboats ’84), DB Derrick Batiste (Allocation Draft-Oakland ’84), DE Mansel Carter (’85 College draft pick), DB Joe Johnson (Rookie Free Agent), RB-KR Amos Lawrence (Allocation Draft-Maulers ’84).

Outlook: Should be much improved, but the competition in the Southern division will prevent them from earning a playoff spot.

1985 Prediction: 7-9 4th place